In addition to meeting the standards and requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, degree candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credits in religious studies. Students may modify the major program only in consultation with a department adviser.

PLEASE NOTE: As of Fall 2014, Religion majors may take 2-3 classes (6-9 credits) in other departments to meet program requirements. The courses listed below are acceptable for the program requirement specified; other courses may be approved by the department on a case-by-case basis. Courses taken outside the Religion Department can count for upper level (i.e., 2xxx, 3xxx) electives only. Courses outside the Department do not substitute for Rels. 2010 or Rels. 4010.

The following courses have been approved for inclusion in the Religion major (additional courses may be approved by the Religion Department chair on a case-by-case-basis):

SOCI 3816: West African Derived Religions in the Americas in Dialogue with Catholicism

Major Program RequirementsThe curriculum for the religious studies program comprises three levels. Courses designated with an asterisk (*) are required for all religious studies majors.

Level I:

Introductory Level Courses (6 credits)

Choose two of the following five courses:

RELS 1010

Religious Dimension of Life

RELS 1102

Introduction to the Bible

RELS 1104

Introduction to the New Testament

RELS 1202

Christian Belief and Thought

RELS 1302

Introduction to Catholic Theology

RELS 1402

World Religions

RELS 1502

Contemporary Moral Values

RELS 1503

Christian Ethics

RELS 1504

Faith and Justice

RELS 2411

Jewish Beliefs and Practices *

RELS 2415

Introduction to Islam *

RELS 2418

Buddhist World of Thout and Culture *

* Prerequisite: CORE 1101

Level II:

Advanced Level Courses (21 credits)

RELS 2010**

Methods in the Study of Religion and Theology

RELS courses numbered between 2100-3999

** In consultation with their departmental advisers, religious studies majors complete the course in method (3 credits), and then choose four advanced courses (12 credits) from each of the four major areas of study. At least one of these courses must be at the 3000 level. In order to ensure depth of study, majors complete two additional advanced courses (6 credits) from one of the four areas of study, at least one of which must be at the 3000 level.

If RELS 2411 (Jewish Belief and Practices), RELS 2415 (Intro to Islam), and/or RELS 2418 (Buddhist World of Thought and Culture) are taken to complete the introductory level requirements, then they may not be applied toward the 21 credits of advanced courses